Discusses KMT policy and events in Asia absent a second Sino Japanese war from 1937. There are still a lot of questions unanswered there. One key point made is that the KMT would not accept Japanese possession of Manchuria & domination of Korea. Assuming then no 1937> war as OTL how long will it take for China to recover to where the leaders are confident (or overconfident) in breaking Japans hold on Manchuria?
Once a date is identified, describe what you see as the characteristics of such a war. Assume that a European war as OTL has occurred, but no Pacific war 1941-45.
My take is the KMT leaders of the 1940s will be overconfident & stumble into such a war prematurely. While Japan would not be likely to defeat them completely neither would the KMT automatically prevail. Odds are a early strategic stalemate & a slow expensive war to follow.